An Allegory by Geo. E. Price

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 26, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 13.

An Allegory

By Geo. E. Price

HESPERIA, OR THE LAND OF THE WEST.—NO. 3.

An Allegory.

(Concluded.)*

Now on the second day of the eighth month, certain young men of the sons of the prophets were reading out of the Great Book of the law. And they found the place where it was written that from the tenth day of the seventh month onward should be days of fasting and prayer and supplication; for on that day was the Great King to begin to examine into the affairs of His kingdom, to examine even the names of the subjects of His kingdom, that He might know who had been faithful to Him.

Then were they mightily afraid, and they whispered one to another, “What do we here? Behold, this decree of the King is going forth, and the people know not of it? Shall we let their blood come upon our heads, and be guilty? Let us go even to all the people, and show them the words of this law.”

So they arose, even every one of them, even that same night, and tarried not, but spake every man to his brother, and every man to his neighbor, saying, “Behold, the Great King is coming! for He hath appointed a day in which He will judge His people, and that day began even on the tenth day of the seventh month, and we knew it not. Shall not our souls be guilty if we tell you not all these things?”

Also they said, “Moreover, see ye not how the old laws commanded the Seventh Day to be kept holy, and that on that day we should worship the Great King, which is even the day on which He was anointed King over us? But behold, we have all been regarding the First Day, which Prince Diabolus hath appointed. Shall we be regarded as faithful subjects when He examines our cases, if we depart in any way from His written law, or give allegiance at all to this usurper and impostor, even Prince Diabolus? I tell you, nay; but unless we repent, we shall all miserably perish in that day when He shall come to execute judgment upon these rebels, and to take possession of His kingdom.”

So from that day forward the sons of the prophets, even as many as loved the old laws, began to remember the Great King on the day which He had appointed. And they began also to proclaim this message to the people, saying “The hour of His judgment is come. Let us worship Him and obey His laws. But if any man obey the law of Prince Diabolus, or give heed to the law of John Ambitus regarding the day that he hath devised in his own heart, the same shall be declared a rebel against the Great King, and shall be punished without mercy as he deserves, when the Prince Imperial shall come to execute the sentence of the judgment.”

So there arose a great contention among the people concerning these things. For some said, “This is the message of the Great King. Let us take heed to ourselves and obey.” Others said, “Nay, verily; hath the Great King sent a message by you, and hath not at all revealed it to Eleazar Capito and the priests that are with him? Behold, they be the ones to show us the law; and whatsoever they command us, that will we observe and do. But as for you, if ye observe not the laws of the land, the name of the Great King will avail you but little, when ye are brought before the officers of John Ambitus and of his priest Eleazar Capito.”

Thus spake the people. Nor stopped they at wrath; for they even took many of the sons of the prophets and cast them into prisons and into dungeons, and made them work in chain-gangs under taskmasters: and they made them to endure every indignity and torment. Yet even so could they not compel them to honor the day that had been appointed by the law of the land.

Then did Eleazar and his priests take counsel together, and they also counseled with the priests of Diabolus, concerning what should be done with these people who were thus with a high hand defying all the power of the land. And they said, “These men ought not to live any longer; for they be traitors against society, and enemies of all law and order. But we can not take them in Hesperia alone, but we must take them wherever they be found, even throughout the whole world, and at one hour, so there shall not be left so much as one of them alive to breathe; for then only shall we have peace.”

Moreover they said, “The gods are even angry with us because we have let them live thus long. Surely it is for their evil deeds that the land is smitten with pestilence, and earthquakes, and the destruction, and this fierce heat. Let us be strong, and deal with them as they deserve. When we begin, let us also make an end.”

So the officers and priests of Hesperia, and the governors and priests of Prince Diabolus, issued one decree to all the people of the earth, that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month they should destroy, and kill, and cause to perish, all those who refused to conform to the laws of the land concerning the holy day that had been appointed to be observed, even the venerable First Day of the week. So the people of the whole earth settled their minds against the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.

Now the sons of the prophets had fled to the wilderness, and to the forests, and to the rocks of the mountains, even with their little ones. And their enemies pursued after them to take them; for they said, “Why should we wait till the set day? Let us take them even now.” But their swords were as broken straws, for the Great King had sent help to His people. But He said unto them, “Wait yet a little longer. Let them see what they can do.” So His people waited patiently, trusting in His word.

Now on the evening of the twelfth day, all the people of the land were gathered together to hunt out the sons of the prophets and to execute the decree. But as they drew nigh with their lanterns, and torches, and weapons, behold, a bright light shone in the heavens, but they still pressed on. Then a great and terrible earthquake shook the hills and tore asunder the foundations of the mountains. And the sons of the prophets lifted up their eyes and saw the increasing brightness of the light of their returning King. Then their voices arose in songs of praise and victory. But their enemies were astonished and began to tremble, for they saw that their day was come. Yet could they not flee from His face who sat upon the throne. But they cried to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

Even so; come, Lord Jesus; come quickly.

GEO. E. PRICE.

Travaille, N. B., Canada.